Catholics from eastern Congo make cross-country journey to meet pope

Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer from his window at the Vatican, January 29, 2023. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS

GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) - Father Adeodatus Muhigi is among the Roman Catholic faithful in Democratic Republic of Congo's restive city of Goma who prepared to welcome Pope Francis last July, before the pontiff had to postpone a trip to Africa because of a knee ailment.

Now instead of welcoming the pope in Goma during the rescheduled trip, Father Muhigi will join dozens of other Catholics from the east, including victims of violence and natural disasters, who are making the cross-country journey to the Congolese capital Kinshasa this week.